Talk Is Cheap

“I’m going to get a home gym and steal all your play.” 

I used to jokingly repeat this to my best friend Tim in High School. It was the 90s. The time everyone was obsessed with washboard abs. Thanks Abercrombie. 

I always had more of an offensive lineman build, but I still convinced myself that if I saved up for a home gym - maybe a Bowflex - I could get ripped. I’d have muscles. The type that ladies noticed. 

I’ll try to explain the weird 90s lingo in the phrase. Particularly “steal all your play.” In short, I would look so good that Tim wouldn’t have any chance with the ladies. They’d be eyeing my new athletic build and would have no choice to ignore him. 

I never had the discipline to save money to buy a home gym - not to mention using one! 

Talking trash and not being able to back it up. A favorite of mine to this day.

For example, our house is the wild west. 

Bathtime? Nah, you took one yesterday. Bedtime? When you get tired. Applesauce for dinner? Go for it. 

You’d think with a special needs child we’d be on a better routine. But here we are. 

For me it’s part laziness, part fatigue, part personality. Every time I’m in a good routine I get bored. I immediately want to shake things up. I’m too spontaneous. Seeking fun over discipline. Limited by lack of self control. 

But we’re at a point with our family that a routine is necessary. 

Jude sleeps better when she’s has a specific bedtime. She needs a bit more predicability.

And if her therapy has taught us anything it’s that repetition matters. It builds her muscle memory and helps her master new skills. 

In the New Year, I bet you can guess what my goal is . . . 

Consistency. 

With consistency, my actions will better match my words and wishes. I can live with personal integrity. 

With consistency my effort can match my goal and not my fleeting motivation. 

It’s a goal in 2026 and for life. 

So watch out Tim. I’ve got a goal. And some adult money to buy a home gym. 

I’ll steal all your play. 

“In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.”

Proverbs 14:23